FRANKFORT – Gov. Steve Beshear Thursday announced Kentucky will receive a $859,793 National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The funds will create about 65 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck the state last month.

“This money will help Kentucky communities rebuild after suffering extensive damage this spring,” Beshear said in a statement released by his office. “The temporary jobs it will create will not only benefit current jobseekers but will provide much-needed assistance in those hard-hit areas.”

The grant, awarded to the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, will fund a variety of services, including providing temporary employment on projects to assist with clean-up, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands within the affected communities, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid and safety assistance, as needed.

Funds may also be used to provide retraining services upon completion of the temporary jobs component for participants for whom permanent work is not available.

The counties of Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan, Pendleton, and Wolfe have been targeted by the state for assistance under this grant thus far. Additional counties may be included under the project at a later date if further evaluation warrants their inclusion.